Electrical igniting device for explosive-engines.



A. R. BULLOCK. ELECTRICAL IGNITING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

1,065,862, Patented June 24, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR R. BULLOCK, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO THE 'IGNITER APPLIANCE COMPANYQOF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OFOHIO.

ELECTRICAL -IGrNI'.[.II\TG'r DEVICE 'FOR 'EXPLOSIVE-EN GIN ES.

Specification of. Letters Patent.

Patented June 24, 1913.

Application'filed fl'anuary 25, 1904. SeriaLNo. 190,525.

To all whom-it may concern;-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR ROBERT BUL- LooK, a citizen of theUnited-States, residing at Cleveland, inthe county o'f Cu-yahoga andState-of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ElectricalIgniting Devices for Explosive-Engines.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical ignite-rs forexplosive engines, more particularly to the kind of electrical igniterswherein two contact members normally touching each other are separatedby means of a blow struck upon one of the contact members by a movablearmature; and

theobject of this present application is to perfect the construction andarrangementof the moving parts in such devices, so as to renderthem-absolutely reliable and durable. I attain this object ina device asillustrated in the accompanying drawings "in which- Figure I representsaside view of this device, the electrical circuit and parts of anenginebeing diagrammatically shown. Fig. II isan-outerend viewoif-saiddevice. F ig. III is an inner end view of same. Fig. IVrepresents a central sectional view of same on :line 00 00, see Fig.III. Fig. V is a transverse sectional view on line 2 3 see Fig. IV. Likeletters of referencedenote like parts inlthe drawing and specification.I

Referring to Fig. I, a represents a source of electrical supply. 13represents a selfinduction or so called spark coil. C indi cates a partof the circuit. D represents a suitable auxiliary circuit closer whichis opera'ted from a moving part of the engine. E is an insulatedstationary electrode, and EF is a movable grounded electrode, it beingpresupposed that the circuit'from said auxiliary closer to the movableelectrode is grounded or completed through the frame of such engines,and G is a plug which intended and adapted'to be mounted and extendthrough a wall of the engine and into the combustion chamber thereof.The part a of the plug is screw threaded as a means for thus securingthe plug upon 'the engine. H is a winding of'wire which surrounds theplug and lies between two shoulders formed upon the plug. Thisconstruction forms in effect an :electromagnet. T

The electrode E is insulated as at b '6. One terminal of said electrodeis connected with the winding as at o and the other terminal carries acontact point as at d.

Each terminal of the movable electrode is provided wvith an arm. The arm6 thereof makes contact with the point cl above mentioned, while the armfis arranged in operative'relation with the armature I presentlydescribed. Thearm e in conjunction with thestem art-of this electrodeforms a conical shoulder as at e which fits into the conical.recessoftthe bore of'the plug and thereby 'forms a gas tight bearingfor said movable electrode within said plug, the pressure within :theenginecylinder being the means of forcing the shoulder against its seator recess. I

The armature I is "formed as a curved Shield and extends part way-aroundthe plug orpole G. It is hinged tosaid plug as at g g which hingedportions are countersunk in the plug so as to permit the ready placingor removal of the inclosing cover, and the projection h thereof isarranged within reach of the :arm 7' above mentioned. As shown, theouterend of the armature 'isFheld distant from the plug by the action of aspring 1', which in this instance is U shaped, one .end thereof restingupon the plug and the other thrusting in under the armature as seen inFig. I. Therod 9 extends transversely through the plug as seen in Figs.IV an d V and its terminals serve as pivots forthe hinge parts 9 g ofthe armature.

The casing K as shown in Fig. IV serves in the :nature of a protector ofthe parts inclosed thereby; it has a screw threaded connection with theplug as at g and in extending'over the part 9 it retains the rod 9 inproper position for the hinges, without requiring any extra means toobtain such result. In the end wall of the casing there is a bushing M,consisting of insulating material; said bushing supports guides andprotects the circuit wire in its passage through the casing onto thewinding. As a further safe guard against breaking of the wire "C :asuitable connector (which may be a portion of the Wire (3) is interposedbetween the outer and inner coil as at 7' see Figs. IV and V; the actualconnection of wire and coil being at j. If desired, the connector may bein the form of a metallic piece-or strip. This connector extendssubstantially parallel with the axis of the magnet, the. outer layer ofthe wire winding being tightly wrapped around the outer side of {theconnector and thereby retaining it in place, said outer layerpractically binding the connector in its position when strain is placedon the terminal leading without the casing.

In Figs. 1 and II there is shown a member Z2 depending from part it ofthe armature; said member is shouldered as at n and carries the spring Zand washer m. The shoulder it limits the movement of armature I, thespring Z acts as a cushion and eliminates lost motion, while the washermerely serves as an intermediate bearing for said arm and said spring toretain these parts in proper working condition. The spring J assures theclosing of the electrodes (Z 6 within the combustion chamber, and in ameasure said spring cooperates with spring Z upon member 7a. Jars towhich such devices are exposed are thereby received under the cushioningaction of two springs and rendered non-injurious to the operation anddurability of the device. In falling or being attracted onto its polesthe armature attains momentum and strikes the arm f with a blow (like ahammer) in consequence whereof the electrodes are parted under or withaccelerated motive force and the result is an electrical discharge ofhigh calorific efficiency.

The auxiliary circuit closer D is preferably connected with a rotativepart of the engine in such manner that the circuit will be closed at themoment when the charge in the cylinder should be exploded. Upon theclosing of the circuit maker or closer D, the current passes from thecell A through the coil B and conductor C. The conductor C forms anelectrical contact with one end of the coil H. The other end of the wireforming said coil is in electrical communication with the plug G. v Thisallows the current flowing through the conductor C to first enter thecoil H and pass from thence to the electrode E, contact point (Z, shortarm 0, and rotatable electrode F. Since the electrode F is not insulatedfrom the plug, the current will pass to the plug G and through theengine to the ground. lVhen the circuit is closed, the winding IIestablishes a mag netic field in the plug Gr whereupon the armature isattracted and the part h thereof strikes the arm 7 which rotates theelectrode F causing a parting of the contact points whereupon a spark isproduced between the parts (Z and e of the electrodes E and F. Thisspark is increased in intensity due to the presence of the sparking coilB in the circuit. The moment however the points are parted the circuitis again broken, the field established by the winding H becomes de'magnetized, releasing in turn the armature and following this the springJ retracts the arm 7', which allows the points (Z and e to make contact,ready for effecting another spark as quickly as the armature isattracted.

It will be noticed that there is clearance established between thecontact face 71. of the armature and the free end of arm f. such acondition is of vital importance in order to assure satisfactory resultsas to sparking.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An igniter plug for explosive engines with fixed and movableelectrodes, a winding and a pivoted armature, the said electrodes beingarranged approximately at right angles to the pivots of said armatureand the movable electrode carrying an arm which is arranged withincontact. reach of said armature the latter having a depending memberadapted to control themovement of said armature in the manner and forthe purpose as set forth.

2. In an igniter plug for explosive engines the combination with themovable electrode and a hinged armature of a depending member arrangedin front of said armature for the purpose of controlling the movement ofsaid electrode in the manner as set forth.

3. An igniter plug for explosive engines having a stationary and amovable electrode, a winding on said plug forming with a portion of saidplug an electro-magnet, an armature upon said plug, and a connectorforming the terminal of said winding, said connector extending in adirection substantially axial of the coils of said winding andinterposed between adjacent layers thereof.

4:. In an igniter plug the combination with an electro-magnet anarmature and a pivotal support therefor of a casing surrounding the saidparts of said plug and serving as means to retain said support securelyin position.

'5. In a sparking igniter, the combination of a plug having a portionprovided with a coil of wire forming an electro-magnet, and a curvedarmature mounted upon said plug and conforming in contour to the saidcoil of wire and adapted to be drawn toward said coil.

6. In a sparking igniter, the combination of a plug having a portionprovided with a coil of wire, and a curved armature pivotally mountedupon said plug and partly encircling said wire coil.

7 In a sparking igniter, the combination movable electrode to itsinitial position when the wlndmg s denerglzed.

8. In a sparking igniter, the combination of a plug and anelectro-magnet, an armature pivoted adjacent the electromagnet, a fixedelectrode, and a movable rod carrying a second electrode normallycontacting the fixed electrode, said electrodes being carried by theplug, the armature being adapted to move when the electro-magnet isenergized to impart a blow to the movable rod to break the contact withthe fixed electrode, and means for cushioning the blow of the armature.

9. In a sparking igniter, the combination of a plug, an electro-magnet,an armature pivoted adjacent the electro-magnet, a fixed electrodecarried by the plug, and a movable rod mounted in the plug carrying asecond electrode normally contacting the fixed electrode, the saidarmature being adapted to move when the electro-magnet is energized toimpart a blow to the movable rod to break the contact with the fixedelectrode, and a resilient member in the path of the armature with whichthe armature engages, whereby the blow thereof is cushioned.

10. In a sparking igniter, the combination of a plug, an electro-magnet,an armature pivoted adjacent the electro-magnet, a fixed electrodecarried by the plug, and a mov able rod mounted in the plug carrying asecond electrode normally contacting the fixed electrode, the saidarmature being adapted to move when the electro-magnet is energized toimpart a blow to the movable rod to break the contact with the fixedelectrode, and a resiliently supported plunger in the path of the memberwith which the said armature engages, whereby the blow is cushioned.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

ARTHUR R. BULLOCK.

Witnesses:

BERNH. F. EIBLER, HORACE Gr. SIETZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

